Virtual Medical Centre

Insomnia

• What is Insomnia?
• Who gets Insomnia?
• Predisposing Factors
• Progression
• Probable Outcomes
• How is Insomnia Diagnosed?
• How is Insomnia treated?
• Insomnia References
• Drugs/Products Associated with Insomnia

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia, or "inadequate sleep", is a condition in which a person cannot achieve sleep despite considerable effort to do so. There are two types of insomnia: primary insomnia that occurs due to a psychological inability to initiate and maintain sleep, and secondary insomnia that occurs due to the co-existence of another medical condition. Both can cause chronic insomnia.

Who gets Insomnia?

One-third of adults complain of insomnia and in a third of these chronic insomnia is a symptom. Extensive research of this condition has revealed that between 9 and 21% of the population have insomnia with serious daytime consequences including reduced productivity at work, reduced energy, poor concentration, memory impairment, personal difficulties, anxiety and depression.

Predisposing Factors

There are a multitude of conditions that result in sleep disturbance and insomnia:

• Psychiatric illness such as major depression and anxiety disorders are commonly found in association with insomnia.
• Excessive consumption of stimulants such as caffiene and other forms of medication like steroids and dopamine agonists will adversely affect quality of sleep. The use of illicit drugs such as amphetamines will also predispose an individual to insomnia.
• Pain: Any condition that causes pain will inevitably affect the duration and quality of sleep.
• Nocturia: Conditions such as congestive heart failure that cause patients to pass large volumes of urine at night reduce the patient's quality and quantity of sleep.
• Malnutrition may also result in the inability to fall asleep.
• Primary sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea and restless legs syndrome have their own respective predisposing factors.

Progression

The prognosis is very good if the person sticks to the behavioral maneouvers (sleep hygiene). A doctor should evaluate chronic insomnia that does not improve.

Daytime sleepiness is the most common complication, though there is some evidence that lack of sleep can also lower your immune system's ability to fight infections. Sleep deprivation is also a common cause of auto accidents - if you are driving and feel sleepy, take a break.